The coldest weather of the week greeted South Floridians on Thursday morning as temperatures dipped into the 40s. But the cold snap will be short-lived.

Before dawn it was 47 in Fort Lauderdale, 46 in West Palm Beach and 50 in Miami. By comparison, it was 24 in Tallahassee.

Because of the low temperatures and wind coming from the north, the National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for Palm Beach County and inland Broward that was in effect from about 3 a.m. until shortly after 9 a.m.

The wind chill had the potential to make it feel like the mid 20s and mid 30s in some areas, the weather service said.

Despite the chill, temperatures are expected to steadily climb through the weekend, with mostly clear skies in the forecast.

Temperatures are about 15 degrees below normal for this time of year, when it’s usually about 61 to 76 degrees in Fort Lauderdale, said Andrew Hagan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami.

Highs on Thursday were expected to reach the lower 60s. Lows that night into Friday morning were predicted to be in the low 50s.

Later that day, temperatures may reach about 70 degrees, with overnight lows in the upper 50s through Saturday morning, Hagan said.

Temperatures will creep into the lower 70s and then fall to the lower 60s Saturday night through early Sunday morning.

During the day on Sunday, the temperature may reach up to 75 degrees.

The warm sunny days may be spoiled by showers, with a 20 to 30 percent chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday, Hagan said.

The cold weather forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday morning prompted officials with Broward and Palm Beach counties to open shelters for homeless people.